Leeds station improvement updates

[61653 HTAFC]

Can you comment on whether there are any spare units to strengthen the semi-fasts at least? I suppose it's progress if we get faster, more resilient journeys, but if no extra capacity is provided it's a lot of effort for not much output. And it's still not going to be great if after all this, you can't fit on the Hallam Stopper because it's full of Castleford commuters...

The obvious solution to that conundrum for passengers heading to points south of Wakefield, is to join the semi-fast and change onto the stopper at Kirkgate.

 

[Iskra]

The obvious solution to that conundrum for passengers heading to points south of Wakefield, is to join the semi-fast and change onto the stopper at Kirkgate.

The semi-fasts also aren’t known for their capacity…

But, yes, I do usually get a semi-fast to Barnsley then stopper from there to Chapeltown.

I suppose between them, there is always a back up option.

Going Northwards from Sheffield, I have been left behind by XC and a Northern semi-fast before finally getting on the stopper all the way to Leeds…

 

[yorksrob]

It's a shame they couldn't put proper seats on platform 1/0, rather than those ridiculous perch things.

 

[Dr Hoo]

It's a shame they couldn't put proper seats on platform 1/0, rather than those ridiculous perch things.

Do people often have to wait for significant periods on those (terminal) platforms?
Obviously alighting passengers will move towards the station core. Whenever I’ve departed from those platforms it’s been a case of walking up to a train with doors already released. I suppose that there might be odd case of waiting for a join/split operation to be completed.

 

[skyhigh]

Do people often have to wait for significant periods on those (terminal) platforms?

Not particularly, and there is a heated waiting room at the end of 0.

 

[yorksrob]

Do people often have to wait for significant periods on those (terminal) platforms?
Obviously alighting passengers will move towards the station core. Whenever I’ve departed from those platforms it’s been a case of walking up to a train with doors already released. I suppose that there might be odd case of waiting for a join/split operation to be completed.

It's quite often for the train to be there, but for people to be waiting for it to be unlocked. This often happens when another train is sharing the platform.

 

[Ken H]

Do people often have to wait for significant periods on those (terminal) platforms?
Obviously alighting passengers will move towards the station core. Whenever I’ve departed from those platforms it’s been a case of walking up to a train with doors already released. I suppose that there might be odd case of waiting for a join/split operation to be completed.

Can be a bit of a wait for a Carlisle or a Lancaster/Morecambe

 

[Halifaxlad]

It's a shame they couldn't put proper seats on platform 1/0, rather than those ridiculous perch things.

Dont you mean 'bum rests'

 

[yorksrob]

Dont you mean 'bum rests'

Indeed

 

[xotGD]

Thanks.

The availability of breakfast burritos sounds appealing!

So much for getting a breakfast burrito on the way to work - the place isn't open at 8.30.

Why have a breakfast menu, but stay closed when commuters want to buy breakfast?

 

[1D53]

The Burrito place are short staffed at present hence the late opening, it's being worked on.
Rumours of another retailer opening in the old Subway unit later in the year..

 

[YorksLad12]

The Burrito place are short staffed at present hence the late opening, it's being worked on.
Rumours of another retailer opening in the old Subway unit later in the year..

Blimey, that's been closed ages now. Think of the lost rent! I always thought it would be better if the entrance to the car parks was moved there, and the existing entrance turned into something (even if only a Wetherspoon's extension or larger beer 'garden').

 

[class 9]

It's quite often for the train to be there, but for people to be waiting for it to be unlocked. This often happens when another train is sharing the platform.

You wait longer than in years gone by, as Northen services don't seem to open the train doors till about a minute before departure!!!

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The Burrito place are short staffed at present hence the late opening, it's being worked on.
Rumours of another retailer opening in the old Subway unit later in the year..

Hopefully a Greggs!

 

[Adam0984]

You wait longer than in years gone by, as Northen services don't seem to open the train doors till about a minute before departure!!!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jun 2024 ==


Hopefully a Greggs!

There was talk of Greggs but rumours were that some of the other outlets (SSP owned) objected because they'd vastly undercut their prices even if Greggs was selling at the top price bracket like service station pricing

 

[GoneSouth]

There was talk of Greggs but rumours were that some of the other outlets (SSP owned) objected because they'd vastly undercut their prices even if Greggs was selling at the top price bracket like service station pricing

Sounds like we’re being ripped off as usual. I won’t buy food at stations because of disgraceful attitudes like that.

They’ll undermine the huge profits we’re gouging so let’s put a stop to it, even if it’s in the interests of passengers.

It’s not that I’m a huge Greggs fan, but paying top dollar for soggy sandwiches from Pret is even less appealing!

 

[class 9]

There was talk of Greggs but rumours were that some of the other outlets (SSP owned) objected because they'd vastly undercut their prices even if Greggs was selling at the top price bracket like service station pricing

The Greggs at Derby Station is run by SSP.

 

[wilbers]

Sounds like we’re being ripped off as usual. I won’t buy food at stations because of disgraceful attitudes like that.

They’ll undermine the huge profits we’re gouging so let’s put a stop to it, even if it’s in the interests of passengers.

It’s not that I’m a huge Greggs fan, but paying top dollar for soggy sandwiches from Pret is even less appealing!

Not all food at stations is at ramped up prices - for example Sainsbury's at Manchester Piccadilly and Newcastle is at normal Sainsbury prices (or if its marked up more than a typical Sainsbury its not by a noticeable amount). Greggs in Newcastle station has higher prices, but the one opposite the station is normal prices (so no prizes for guessing which one I will buy from, and which one I won't).

 

[Backroom_boy]

Not all food at stations is at ramped up prices - for example Sainsbury's at Manchester Piccadilly and Newcastle is at normal Sainsbury prices (or if its marked up more than a typical Sainsbury its not by a noticeable amount). Greggs in Newcastle station has higher prices, but the one opposite the station is normal prices (so no prizes for guessing which one I will buy from, and which one I won't).

Sainsbury's (and probably it's competitors) price their goods based on the floor area of the shop; so the smaller the shop the higher the prices.

 

[1D53]

Hopefully a Greggs!

The rumour suggests so!

 

[yorksrob]

You wait longer than in years gone by, as Northen services don't seem to open the train doors till about a minute before departure!!!

Indeed. This is noticed on a cold morning !

There was talk of Greggs but rumours were that some of the other outlets (SSP owned) objected because they'd vastly undercut their prices even if Greggs was selling at the top price bracket like service station pricing

The one at Man Vic seems to be doing ok - although it did seem pricey for a Greggs

TBF, Maccy's is fairly similar to normal pricing, so if the competition can survive that, they've got a good chance.

 

[YorksLad12]

Railway time. Who sets the clocks? The one on the pod on the main/South Concourse is 30 seconds behind the ones on the boards over the gate line. Trust me… it makes a difference, it’s a larger display and if you believe it’s correct you don’t look at the smaller ones on the other screens. And then you have to sprint over the footbridge when you realise your error

Outside the station there’s some reinforcing steel in place for concrete pouring, so we might start to see some construction instead of destruction. I’m guessing that means that the repairs are done too…

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It's a shame they couldn't put proper seats on platform 1/0, rather than those ridiculous perch things.

Both would be the way to go. If you've got a backpack/rucksack you don't want something with a backrest.

 

[GoneSouth]

Railway time. Who sets the clocks? The one on the pod on the main/South Concourse is 30 seconds behind the ones on the boards over the gate line. Trust me… it makes a difference, it’s a larger display and if you believe it’s correct you don’t look at the smaller ones on the other screens. And then you have to sprint over the footbridge when you realise your error

Outside the station there’s some reinforcing steel in place for concrete pouring, so we might start to see some construction instead of destruction. I’m guessing that means that the repairs are done too…

What is the ultimate aim of all the works, any links to plans/artist impressions etc?
Thanks

 

[YorksLad12]

What is the ultimate aim of all the works, any links to plans/artist impressions etc?
Thanks

There might be something upthread (I'm not going through 38 other pages, sorry). There will be a lift where the rotunda/cycle place/restaurant space was, then steps down from the station forecourt to Bishopgate Street. The taxi rank will be on Bishopgate street, with the overflow queue on Swinegate. A two-way cycle route will come up Neville Street on the left, then cross to the right for Bishopgate Street and up to City Square.

It's taking so long because Network Rail is doing some remedial work to the arches that hold that part of the station up as well. Once that's done, Leeds can crack on with the rest of their scheme.

 

[class 9]

What is the ultimate aim of all the works, any links to plans/artist impressions etc?
Thanks

Why Network Rail is breathing new life into an historic mill beneath Leeds station | New Civil Engineer

Leeds City Station was originally Leeds New Station, built atop the River Aire in 1869. The Mill Goit was a man-made channel off the river that took the

www.newcivilengineer.com

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2024 ==

Another view.

Transforming Leeds City Rail Station: next stage of works to begin

The next stage in the transformation of Leeds City Rail Station’s main entrance and surrounding area will begin next month (March).

news.leeds.gov.uk

 

[GoneSouth]

There might be something upthread (I'm not going through 38 other pages, sorry). There will be a lift where the rotunda/cycle place/restaurant space was, then steps down from the station forecourt to Bishopgate Street. The taxi rank will be on Bishopgate street, with the overflow queue on Swinegate. A two-way cycle route will come up Neville Street on the left, then cross to the right for Bishopgate Street and up to City Square.

It's taking so long because Network Rail is doing some remedial work to the arches that hold that part of the station up as well. Once that's done, Leeds can crack on with the rest of their scheme.

Why Network Rail is breathing new life into an historic mill beneath Leeds station | New Civil Engineer

Leeds City Station was originally Leeds New Station, built atop the River Aire in 1869. The Mill Goit was a man-made channel off the river that took the

www.newcivilengineer.com

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2024 ==

Another view.

Transforming Leeds City Rail Station: next stage of works to begin

The next stage in the transformation of Leeds City Rail Station’s main entrance and surrounding area will begin next month (March).

news.leeds.gov.uk

Thanks both for the replies, looks interesting. Bit of a trek to a taxi from platform 17 !

Wasn’t there once an Indian restaurant where the lift is going?

I’m glad quick access to the Scarbrough Hotel will be reintroduced, although there are of course plenty of other places for a quick pint whilst waiting at Leeds these days

 

[modernrail]

Looks like a pretty major scheme in a tricky site.

One thing it doesn’t seem to sort is the odd situation with the canopies. It would be much better IMHO if it was a complete run of canopies from City Square to the main entrance. Would look better than the patchwork canopy as well.

In general some more weather protection would be good so you can get to taxis, buses etc less scathed. So a roof from main entrance to the new lifts/stairs and then over the new taxi rank.

 

[YorksLad12]

There's a shelter (with a sedum roof, by the look of it) over the taxi rank in the pictures. The New Civil Engineer article linked above has some good info, I hadn't realised that a cycle place was going into the former Mill Goit.

 

[modernrail]

There's a shelter (with a sedum roof, by the look of it) over the taxi rank in the pictures. The New Civil Engineer article linked above has some good info, I hadn't realised that a cycle place was going into the former Mill Goit.

I spotted that one a re-look. I think they should really consider protection from the main entrance to that point. It is quite a big walk and you could get quite wet even heading to the old rank. Most big stations I can think of have weather protection from station to taxi rank.

I would say the same for the walk to City Square. I haven’t quite figured out in my mind where the new bus stops are but better protection to the Square would at least give some cover.

 

[AirRail]

I believe theres a reason for the planned lack of shelter. It's a common reason why less and less establishments have any such shelter / canopy infront of bulldings these days. So that people don't gather/hangaround under it. Begging has become a huge problem in Leeds. Having somewhere outside but undercover, unfortunately encourages the presence.